Leaving the consolation and wage of a gentle workplace job for the uncertainty of life as a self-employed digital nomad is a large change, each personally and professionally. I did it myself in 2021 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
General, it was an incredible determination and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be exhausting at occasions, however in the end, I believe the challenges are definitely worth the big upsides.
Listed here are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. The following pointers all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and enable you to pull off your personal escape.
Learn how to Plan Your Exit: Going From Workplace Desk to Digital Nomad
Whether or not you’re craving freedom, journey, limitless journey, higher climate, or just a life outdoors the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely advocate you do first. It will assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Mirror on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you need to change into a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? Whether or not it’s the liberty to discover new locations, the possibility to work by yourself phrases, or simply wanting to flee workplace life, understanding your motivation is essential.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized occupation. I noticed I wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when occasions get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular international locations? Be taught new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and preserve you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is among the worst components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the very least just a few months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a yr to begin making any cash. Being in Central America for the primary few months of my nomad life actually helped make the cash I had saved go additional. However, if I hadn’t constructed up a pot of financial savings earlier than I give up my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, reduce pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as doable. You don’t have to have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the highway, however the nearer you might be to this stage, the much less dangerous will probably be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
One of many issues I really like most about being a digital nomad is the power to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless in all probability have to spend a big chunk of your time working – even in the event you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized through the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication expertise, and the power to handle your time successfully with out having a boss wanting over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. If you happen to aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments comparable to Slack and Groups, and contemplate taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that will help you upskill.
Analysis Potential Locations
Not all locations are created equal for digital nomads. Some locations (like Thailand and Portugal) are identified for his or her low value of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your life-style and price range could make or break your expertise. Take into accout your personal priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Quick access to coworking areas? A low-key vibe or a busy social scene? Rural or city? Is the time zone prone to be a problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a fully gorgeous place, nevertheless it wasn’t splendid for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and covid on the similar time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you give up your job and absolutely decide to the digital nomad life-style, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run can provide you a style of what it’s prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of constructing every little thing excellent immediately.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my previous job. My work was effective with me doing it (it was the summer season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I acquired a style of what digital nomadism can be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be doable in your present circumstances, however, in the event you do get the chance to do a trial run like this, I’d extremely advocate it. It’ll assist you determine what works (and what doesn’t), what tech and kit you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you might be to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the best tech setup is important with regards to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you might be on this planet.
My tech stack consists of my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior exhausting drive (for backups), common energy adapter, extension cable, and my iPhone (with an eSIM for whichever nation I’m in).
Don’t overlook software program subscriptions, too. I exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied search engine optimisation and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal listing as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at occasions, particularly in the event you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our associates are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a assist community is so essential. Coworking areas might be nice locations to satisfy different like-minded folks. I’ve made associates at social occasions organized at coworking areas, each in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and I’m nonetheless in contact with a number of of them up to now.
Don’t underestimate the worth of those relationships. Fellow nomads can share insights about locations they’ve been, advocate instruments that work for them, and even collaborate with you on initiatives. It’s additionally nice to have the ability to share your experiences with individuals who “get” it, as your mates from residence may not.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Distant Goats” teaching program is designed to information you thru the method of turning into a web based entrepreneur and making a location-independent life-style. I want I’d had that type of assist once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply acquired to go for it. Setting a agency exit date can assist you keep centered and offer you one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section without end.
It’s going to doubtless really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a secure salaried job. However, there’s additionally the danger of wanting again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that might be a far worse final result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not every little thing will go completely. And that’s okay – each nomad’s journey is exclusive. Embrace the uncertainty. And keep in mind, if it doesn’t work out, or in the event you change your thoughts about what you need, the choice to return to a extra “conventional” life will nonetheless be there.
In Conclusion
Turning into a digital nomad is a giant determination, however with the best planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the ideas I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for achievement.
It’s not all the time simple, nevertheless it’s so price it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical places of work and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the finest decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
